BRITAIN: The leader of the British Conservative Party has accused Mr Tony Blair's government of "total confusion" over its immigration policy in respect of accession states due to join the EU in May.
Mr Michael Howard clashed with Mr Blair on the subject again in the Commons yesterday following the prime minister's earlier indication that he was considering transitional controls on immigration from east European countries due to join the EU.
Pointing to a subsequent denial by the Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, Mr Howard demanded: "Who speaks for the government?" And he pressed: "I put it you (last Wednesday) that most other EU countries had imposed transitional controls. You replied: 'It's precisely for that reason that we are examining doing that now . . .' You said eligibility for benefits was an additional issue the government was also looking at.
"You said, 'That's why we are looking at both issues.' Are you now changing your mind?"
Mr Blair replied: "I'm not changing my mind. The free movement of people is guaranteed . . . after accession. The free movement of workers is not. We are looking both at the benefits system and whatever other measures are necessary to make sure that if there is this concession granted - and we haven't yet laid the regulations granting it - then it's granted in a way that prevents it being exploited."
He continued: "We aren't against people coming here, working properly. We are not, however, going to allow our system to be exploited or abused."
Mr Howard alleged "a familiar pattern" from Mr Blair involving "a bold statement" on Wednesday, "good headlines" on Thursday and "total confusion" by the weekend. And he demanded a clear answer: "Will you impose transitional controls on immigration from the accession countries or not?"
Mr Blair told him: "There is free movement of people after May 1st. Free movement of workers, however, was a concession we are prepared to grant but not in circumstances where it can be abused. We are therefore looking at the benefits system and any other measures necessary to ensure it is not abused. I don't see what is very complicated about that."